Accessories for boats and systems and methods for installation and removal of such accessories

ABSTRACT

Accessories for boats, and in particular folding inflatable boats, are described. The accessories may be installed and removed from the boats rapidly and easily, hence not impeding folding of the boats for transport or storage.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to accessories for boats and more particularly(although not exclusively) to accessories for inflatable boats and tosystems and methods for installing and removing such accessories rapidlyand easily.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Purchasers of boats sometimes customize the boats prior to use.Consequently, many boats currently are sold without accessories such asseats, steering mechanisms, and controls. Purchasers then outfit theirboats as desired, often adding these accessories as well as, forexample, storage compartments, fuel tanks, radios, and lights.

Consoles frequently added to boats often incorporate remote steeringmechanisms (i.e. steering wheels) and engine speed and gear controls.These consoles typically contain storage batteries for engine-startingpurposes. The batteries may as well power radios, lights, and otherelectrical equipment.

Consoles of this sort, together with seats, usually are bolted—orotherwise permanently attached—to the decks of their associated boats.Such permanent attachment is logical when the decks are rigid andadapted to receive bolts securely as, for example, when the boats areRIBs (rigid inflatable boats). Likewise, permanent attachment ofoutboard engines to transoms of RIBs is not disadvantageous, as theseboats are not intended to be dismantled for transport or storage.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,348 to Roy, hereby incorporated herein in itsentirety by this reference, illustrates an exemplary RIB having aconsole formed into its deck. Included as part of the console are ajockey seat and a block forming a piloting post, both of whose upperportions may be raised or removed to allow access to drive mechanismsunderneath the console. Otherwise, however, the console is not intendedto be removed; indeed, an advantage of incorporating the console intothe deck is to increase the strength of the assembly, particularly whenthe RIB is piloted at high speeds at sea.

By contrast, permanent attachment of various accessories to certainother inflatable boats is problematic. Folding inflatable boats, forexample, are marketed as adapted to be dismantled, deflated, and folded(or rolled) for transport and storage, sometimes in compact bags. Theseboats often include removable deck sections and use air as their solemeans of providing rigidity and buoyancy. Permanently attachingaccessories such as consoles, seats, and engines to these boats wouldinhibit, if not completely thwart, their dismantling and folding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention accordingly provides boating accessories that maybe installed and removed rapidly and easily. As a result, theaccessories may be utilized advantageously in folding inflatable boats,as they need not be permanently connected thereto. These accessories,together with their installation and removal systems and methods,likewise may be used with other boats (including RIBs). As well some orall of the accessories, systems, and methods of the invention may beused in connection with vehicles other than boats.

Certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate includingplates, tracks, D-rings (or eyes), or other receptacles prepositionedand fitted onto a deck. The plates, rings, and receptacles will provideanchor points for accessories and be adapted to receive quick-releasehooks or similar devices. When the accessories are installed, the hookswill be received by complementary mechanisms of the plates so as firmlyto latch the accessories in position. By contrast, the quick-releaseaction of the hooks permits rapid removal of the accessories whendesired. If such rapidity is undesirable (e.g. to minimize possibilityof theft of the removable accessories), the hooks may be fitted with alocking system.

Various embodiments of the invention additionally may include aself-contained steering control console. Adapted for connection to anengine via appropriate electrical and mechanical cables, the consolealso may include a steering wheel and mechanism and incorporate enginegear and throttle levers and an instrument panel. As well, within theconsole may be included a starting battery. By fitting it withquick-release hooks (or similar devices), the console may be rapidlyinstalled and removed from the deck.

The invention further may include one or more seats likewise adapted forconnection to and removal from the deck. In some embodiments the seatsare molded and form part of a module also including storage space, afuel tank, or both. Alternatively, other types of seats attachable toplates positioned in the deck may be used.

Yet additionally, the invention may comprise a mechanism for mounting anoutboard motor in a manner permitting its ready removal from the boat. Aquick-release motor bracket intermediate the motor and transom would beacceptable for this purpose. If cables connect the engine to a remotesteering device (such as a steering wheel on the console), they tooeither may be equipped with quick-release devices or, in some cases,simply allowed to remain in position.

It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention toprovide boats with removable accessories.

It is also an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention toprovide accessories for folding inflatable boats that may be rapidly andeasily installed and removed.

It is another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention toprovide systems and methods for such rapid and facile installation ofaccessories.

It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present inventionto provide consoles or other components that may be fitted toreceptacles within decks of boats.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the relevant field with reference to theremaining text and the drawings of this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary inflatable boat having adeck consistent with the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-B are perspective views of an exemplary seat structureconsistent with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the boat of FIG. 1 including a consoleand seat attached to the deck.

FIGS. 4-5 are side elevational views of exemplary fastening mechanismsuseful in connection with the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-B are views of an alternate fastening mechanism useful inconnection with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a depiction of an exemplary mechanism for mounting an outboundmotor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is an exemplary boat 10. Boat 10 may (but need notnecessarily) be inflatable and comprise one or more buoyancy tubes 14.Also depicted in FIG. 1 is transom 18, to which an outboard motor orother engine may be attached.

Included as part of boat 10 may be deck 22, which as shown in FIG. 1 maybe made of multiple sections 26. Deck 22 may be removable, with sections26 folding upon each other for compactness. With deck 22 (and transom18) removed, tubes 14 may be deflated and boat 10 rolled, folded, orotherwise decreased in size for transport or storage. Deck 22 need notbe removable, however, nor need it include foldable sections 26.

Formed in or on deck 22 are receptacles 30. Such receptacles 30 may beincluded in plates positioned within deck 22 or as part of tracks eitherformed therein or positioned thereon. Alternatively, other types ofreceptacles may be employed. In particular, receptacles 30 may, ifdesired, comprise rings (preferably D-rings) bolted or otherwiseattached to the plates or directly to deck 22. Such rings, if present,further may be foldable so that rest flat (or almost so) against theplates or deck when not in use. Preferably, however, the presence ofreceptacles 30 does not impede either removal of deck 22 from boat 10 orfolding of sections 26 upon each other (if the deck 22 is removable orhas foldable sections 26).

FIGS. 2A-B show an exemplary structure 34 adapted for placement into oneof more receptacles 30. Depicted as a seating module, structure 34 mayinclude seat 38 and container 42. In some embodiments of the invention,seat 38 is molded and mounted onto container 42. Those skilled in theart will, however, recognize that structure 34 may consist of componentsother than seat 38. Likewise, although container 42 may provide storagespace for liquids (such as engine fuel) or solid items, it need not doso, nor need it necessarily be present as part of structure 34.

FIG. 2A details structure 34 fitted into receptacles 30 of plate 44 ofdeck 22. Conventional quick-release hooks 46 and receivers may beemployed to accomplish such fitting. Typically, although notnecessarily, the quick-release hooks 46 (FIG. 2B) will be included onbase 50 of structure 34, while the receivers will be incorporated intoreceptacles 30. If desired to latch structure 34 to deck 22 morepermanently, a suitable locking mechanism also may be employed.

Illustrated in FIG. 3 is console 54 together with an alternative seatstructure 58. Both console 54 and structure 58 may be temporarilyconnected to deck 22, as described above, using quick-release fastenersor other appropriate devices. Console 54 may include steering wheel 62and, if desired, engine gear or throttle levers as well. Likewise,console 54 may include optional instrument panels, an engine startingmechanism, and a storage battery. Any necessary cables (whetherelectrical, mechanical, or otherwise) connecting console 54 to anoutboard or other motor may themselves be adapted readily to bedisconnected from either or both of console 54 and the motor.Consequently, merely by disconnecting the cables and releasing thefasteners, console 54 may be removed from boat 10.

FIGS. 4-5 show examples of quick-release mechanisms useful in connectionwith the invention. Such mechanisms are available from Southco, 210North Brinton Lake Road, Concordville, Pa., although other mechanismsmay be employed instead. In FIG. 4, mechanism 66 includes hook 70designed to engage keeper 74 when handle 78 is rotated downward (towardkeeper 74). Rotating handle 78 upward, by contrast, may releaseengagement of hook 70 and keeper 74. Either hook 70 or keeper 74typically would attach to structure 34 or 58, with the other of hook 70or keeper 74 being connected directly or indirectly to deck 22.

Illustrated in FIG. 5 is an alternative mechanism 82 comprising lever 86and rod 90. Depressing lever 86 engages hook 94 (present at an end ofrod 90) and keeper 98. Raising lever 86 releases hook 94 from keeper 98.

FIGS. 6A-B detail another alternative mechanism 100 for use inconnection with the invention. Mechanism 100 may include one or moreD-rings 200, each connected to a corresponding plate 204. In use,D-rings 200 receive hooks or other portions of equipment (or connectors)to be attached to deck 22. When not in use, by contrast, D-rings 200 mayrest flat against their corresponding plates 204 to minimize theirprojection above deck 22. Although the D-ring depicted in FIG. 6A isshaped similar to the letter “D,” it may have some other shape instead.

Preferred versions of mechanism 100 may include bottom plates 208,sleeves 212, and bolts 216 (or similar fasteners). Each of bolts 216,adapted to engage both a plate 204 and an associated bottom plate 208,may function to secure the position of a D-ring 200 relative to deck 22.To avoid bolts 216 damaging interior 220 of deck 22, sleeves 212spanning the interior depth of deck 22 may be used to receive bolts 216and isolate them from interior 220.

FIG. 7 depicts an outboard motor M being mounted to transom 18. Shown inFIG. 7 is an exemplary mounting assembly 102 permitting ready removal ofmotor M when necessary or desired. In the illustrated embodiment,assembly 102 comprises plate 106 and receptacle 110, one elementconnected to motor M and the other to transom 18. Preferably, plate 106is attached to motor M, and receptacle 110 is attached to transom 18.Similarly preferred is that receptacle 110 include rails, into whichedges of plate 106 are fitted, and a terminal stop or other featuredesigned to prevent further downward movement of plate 106 when theplate 106 is appropriately positioned within receptacle 110. Assembly102 may also include, if desired, an indicator informing (audibly,visibly, or otherwise) a user that plate 106 is correctly and completelyinserted into receptacle 110.

When assembly 102 is in use, motor M is mounted to transom 18 by slidingplate 106 downward into receptacle 110. Although gravitational forcesassist in maintaining plate 106 within receptacle 110, a suitableclamping or latching mechanism may be used as well to secure theposition of motor M. Hence, to remove motor M, one need merely disengagethe clamping or latching mechanism and lift plate 106 from receptacle110, providing a quick release of motor M without need for fasteners(e.g. bolts, screws, etc.) to connect the motor to transom 18.

By utilizing accessories, methods, and systems such as those disclosedherein, boat 10 may be outfitted or customized with desirableaccessories. If boat 10 is designed to be deflated and folded or rolledfor transport of storage, the removable nature of the accessoriespermits removal of deck 22 and facilitates compacting boat 10. Thus,although the foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating,explaining, and describing exemplary embodiments and certain benefits ofthe present invention, modifications and adaptations to the illustratedand described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in therelevant art and may be made without departing from the scope or spiritof the invention.

1. A boat comprising: a. a deck including a receptacle; and b. anaccessory firmly connected to the deck but removable therefrom, theaccessory (i) being fitted into the receptacle in use and (ii) includinga quick-release fastener received by the receptacle in use.
 2. A boataccording to claim 1 further comprising at least one buoyancy tube.
 3. Aboat according to claim 2 further comprising a transom to which anoutboard motor may be mounted and in which the accessory is a console.4. A boat according to claim 3 further comprising means for connectingthe console to any outboard motor mounted to the transom. 5-6. cancelled7. A boat according to claim 61 in which the receptacle is included in aplate incorporated into the deck.
 8. A boat according to claim 7 inwhich the deck is removable and comprises multiple foldable sections. 9.A boat according to claim 1 in which the accessory comprises a seatstructure.
 10. A boat according to claim 9 in which the seat structurecomprises: a. a seat; and b. a container.
 11. A boat according to claim10 in which the container is a fuel tank.
 12. A method of making aninflatable boat having a length more compact for storage or transport,comprising: a. deflating an inflatable element; b. disconnecting atleast one accessory from a deck spanning substantially the length of theboat; and c. removing the deck. 13-20. cancelled
 21. A boat according toclaim 1 further comprising at least one D-ring, connected directly orindirectly to the deck, for connecting the accessory thereto.
 22. A boataccording to claim 21 in which the D-ring is moveable and projects onlyslightly above the deck when not in use.
 23. A boat according to claim21 further comprising: a. a plate to which the D-ring is attached; b. abottom plate positioned underneath the deck; and c. a fastenerconnecting the plate and the bottom plate.